UEFA Champions League 2018/19: Three reasons for Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Barcelona

Barcelona are half way towards the Madrid showpiece as a Lionel Messi masterclass inspired a 3-0 thumping of Liverpool.

The Catalan skipper struck another brace, including an eye-popping free-kick, after Luis Suarez opened the scoring early on.

The Reds, having made a few changes to the starting XI, were vibrant, creating numerous chances and coming agonizingly close on a few occasions too. But the bulwark that is Marc-Andre Ter Stegan, along with some frustrating misfortunes, contributed to their undoing.

The result leaves Liverpool with an uphill battle at Anfield in six days time, whereas Barcelona's dream of a third treble just received a massive boost.

Here are the three reasons why Liverpool lost:

#1 Liverpool missed Firmino's presence

Wijnaldum struggled in an unfamiliar role

Roberto Firmino may have found himself eclipsed by Mohamed Salah last year and Sadio Mane this year, but his contributions in the side are indisputable. The Brazilian drifts out wide to let his attacking counterparts drift inside and lays it off on the platter for them.

He is also the chief creator in the attacking third with his intelligent movements and ability to pick out passes, but alas, the Reds sorely missed him in arguably the most important night of their season so far. Firmino sustained a thigh injury at the weekend, and was fit enough only to start on the bench.

Mane and Salah both started as the strikers with Giorginio Wijnaldum operating right off them. This set-up lacked balance as the aforementioned pair struggled to make an impact. Both Mane and Salah had to drift wide at various points for the ball, before straining every sinew to beat their markers and get around the area.

Firmino's impact was all the more evident when he saw his effort cleared just off the line, if only for Salah to have rifled the rebound home rather than slamming it against the upright.

His introduction did make Liverpool more threatening, and maybe he could help salvage something in the second-leg, as it was too late this time around.

#2 Messi's vision and technique

Another incredible night of Messi magic

He just loves playing English teams, doesn't he? Once again at the epicenter of the proceedings, Messi was the difference-maker with another brace - his third against a Premier League team this season alone. Let that sink in first.

Now, we look at how he effectively killed the tie off:

Vision: On collecting the ball yards away from the box, he scampered up a few steps before laying off for Suarez, whose effort ricocheted off the crossbar. But Messi, vigilante as always, took no time to drive forward, chest the ball down, and tap home into an empty net to double the advantage.

Technique: If scoring free-kick is an art, then Messi has to be the Picasso. Having won a free-kick about 35-yards away from goal, the Argentine thaumaturge pulled out his magic wand and cast a spell by beautifully swerving the ball into the top corner and beyond the despairing dive of Alisson. The technique, the judgement and of course the execution - everything was top-notch.

Just how can you deal with a player like this?

#3 No luck on Liverpool's side

Salah, a global sensation last year for his mind-boggling form, missed an absolute sitter

As silly and imbecilic it may seem, but the Reds were really unfortunate not to have scored tonight. Don't let the 3-0 scoreline flatter you too much, for the visitors did ruffle a few feathers at the back, only for Liverpool's fortune to be taking a sweet slumber on the night.

James Milner executed a pair of wonderful efforts, especially the second one, but on both occasions he was frustrated by a diligent Ter Stegan. Sadio Mane, the breakout star of the season, missed a sitter when he arrowed a beautiful delivery inside the area into row Z with only the German shotstopper to beat. And then came the most annoying, frustrating and infuriating moment for the Kopites.

As the Senegalese forward brought everyone towards him, he laid a pass across the face of the goal for Salah, who had the goal gaping, but could only hit the upright with his effort. That was perhaps the best chance for Liverpool to snatch an away goal, but it perfectly summed up their night.

Jurgen Klopp and co. were simply down on luck. Nothing went right despite their best efforts. And everything that could go wrong, unfortunately, did.